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Bringing Society Back In: Symbols, Practices, and Institutional Contradictions
... Yet as I have explained, there is a significant lack of consensus as to how we should conceptualize entities of this kind. Even a brief survey of the literature turns up a host of competing concepts, such that one could speak of the differentiation of values spheres (Weber, 1915(Weber, /1948, spheres of life (Terpe, 2020), spheres of social organization (Smith, 1974), social life worlds (Berger et al., 1973), societal realms, (Zetterberg, 2008), social fields (Bourdieu & Wacquant, 2007), fields of organized striving (Martin, 2003), institutional logics (Friedland & Alford, 1991), institutional spheres (Abrutyn & Turner, 2022), cardinal institutions (Zetterberg, 1991), cultural systems (Dilthey, 1910(Dilthey, /2002, systems of action (Habermas, 1981(Habermas, /1984, or functional subsystems (Parsons, 1977;Luhmann, 1997Luhmann, /2013. ...
Though the concept of differentiation has long been central to sociological theory, efforts to build a cumulative body of knowledge about differentiation dynamics are currently hindered by a lack of consensus about the way we should refer to certain processes and states. Addressing this issue, the following article provides an analysis of terminological issues in differentiation theory, highlighting points of weakness in our current conceptual palette. By charting the varied meanings which scholars have attached to notions of “social,” “structural,” and “functional” differentiation, I show that theorists readily use these terms, or make distinctions between different types of differentiation, in ways which are ambiguous, idiosyncratic, or incompatible with existing theory. Ultimately, the piece argues that a more consistent terminology, and a greater use of more specific and targeted terms, will help us avoid some common points of confusion, and will allow us to theorize differentiation processes in a more coherent and communicable manner.
... Organizations are seen as embedded in this interinstitutional system, and as such exposed to sets of institutional logics, networks of actors, and flows of resources. For Friedland and Alford (1991) the ''potentially contradictory interinstitutional system'' of ''the capitalist West'' (p. 232) comprised the bureaucratic state, democracy, the market, the nuclear family, and the Christian religion. ...
Drawing from 41 qualitative interviews with Norwegian voluntary football clubs and local public stakeholders, this paper explores whether voluntary sport clubs (VSCs) are a convenient measure for including refugees in society. The following research questions are addressed: what expectations of refugee inclusion initiatives do local stakeholders hold towards voluntary sport clubs, and how do the clubs grapple with pursuing non-sport and sport objectives and systems simultaneously? The results show that the football clubs face high expectations of refugee inclusion. Although the football clubs generally understand and accept the expectations, inclusion and integration activities are costly in terms of time and competence and challenge the club’s capacities. Two competing logics are identified in the data: a functional logic passively welcoming everyone that are keen and resourced to play football and a moral and proactive logic, that expects the clubs to reach out to include refugees that are alien to the organization of indigenous sport. We find that despite external expectation, the sport clubs are not fast-tracks to refugee integration because the logic sustaining their existence and practices are at odds with the logic prescribing refugee integration through sport.
... Während sich die idealtypischen Erklärungen bisher auf Handlungen und deren räumliche Logiken bezogen, kommen nun auch institutionelle Logiken (Friedland & Alford, 1991) zu globalen Raumanordnungen -, die die Handelnden und deren Wissen als Raumfiguren leiten, beobachtbar und verstehbar machen. ...
Vor dem Hintergrund der interdisziplinären, sozialwissenschaftlich ausgerichteten Forschung zur Refiguration von Räumen unternehmen wird in dem Paper der Versuch unternommen, ein Modell des Verstehenden Erklärens sozialräumlicher Prozesse zu entwickeln. Dabei schließen wir an den Ansatz von Max Weber an, der Verstehen und Erklären mustergültig miteinander verbunden hat. Im Zentrum steht das Konzept des „Idealtypus“, den wir unter Rückgriff auf einen relationalen und räumlichen Begriff des kommunikativen Handelns weiterentwickeln. Dazu wird
im ersten Teil die Konzeption des Verstehenden Erklärens erläutert. Auf der Basis des Konzeptes der Raumfiguren unterscheiden wir dann verschiedene Idealtypen räumlich-kommunikativen Handelns, die wir dann auch topologisch fassen. Da wir es in vielen empirischen Fällen nicht nur mit Handlungen, sondern mit Interdependenzketten zu tun haben, die sich über unterschiedlichste Institutionen und Infrastrukturen bis hin zu nationalstaatlich organisierten Gesellschaften oder transnational agierenden Konzernen erstrecken, skizzieren wir schließlich, wie sich diese durch das Konzept der Figurationen erklären lassen, die wir an die Raumfiguren anschließen. Dies erlaubt es, wie wir meinen, eine Idealtypik einer über Handlungen hinausgehende Form des prozessorientierten und kausalanalytischen Erklärens zumindest anzudeuten. Wie beim gesamten Beitrag handelt es sich auch dabei um einen vorläufigen Entwurf, der als Diskussionspapier die Grundlage für weitere Ausarbeitungen eines Erklärungsmodell bieten soll.
... Essa interação é fundamental para criar um ambiente propício ao desenvolvimento de todos os envolvidos no ecossistema empreendedor, sejam professores, mentores, colegas e parceiros empreendedores, ou palestrantes convidados. Este estudo também identificou que as conversas entre esses diferentes atores promovem a coesão do ecossistema, mitigando as disparidades cognitivas entre os participantes e encorajando a unidade (Friedland & Alford, 1991). Os atores observaram que expandiram sua cognição social e capacidade de resolução de problemas ao espelhar e aprender com outros indivíduos no ecossistema. ...
This paper investigates the role of cognitive interdependence in university entrepreneurial ecosystems and its impact on developing their actors’ cognitive capabilities. Using a qualitative approach, we interviewed managers of new business development support programs, entrepreneurship professors, and entrepreneurs linked to startups within a university ecosystem to understand how the cognitive interdependence within these ecosystems influences the actors’ cognitive capabilities. The results indicate that this type of interdependence plays a significant role in the development of the actors’ cognitive capabilities a) indirectly when they are relationships between entities and individuals within the ecosystem, and b) directly when they are relationships between individuals. In addition, the psychological safety offered by university entrepreneurial ecosystems moderates and amplifies both the indirect and the direct influence of cognitive interdependence on the development of the actors’ cognitive capabilities.
Keywords:
entrepreneurial ecosystems; university entrepreneurship; cognitive interdependence; cognitive capabilities; case study
... This interaction is fundamental to creating an environment conducive to the development of all those involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, whether teachers, mentors, fellow entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial partners, or guest speakers. This study also identified that conversations among these different actors promote the cohesion of the ecosystem, mitigating cognitive disparities and encouraging unity (Friedland & Alford, 1991). The actors observed that they expanded their social cognition and problem-solving capability by mirroring and learning from other individuals in the ecosystem. ...
This paper investigates the role of cognitive interdependence in university entrepreneurial ecosystems and its impact on developing their actors’ cognitive capabilities. Using a qualitative approach, we interviewed managers of new business development support programs, entrepreneurship professors, and entrepreneurs linked to startups within a university ecosystem to understand how the cognitive interdependence within these ecosystems influences the actors’ cognitive capabilities. The results indicate that this type of interdependence plays a significant role in the development of the actors’ cognitive capabilities a) indirectly when they are relationships between entities and individuals within the ecosystem, and b) directly when they are relationships between individuals. In addition, the psychological safety offered by university entrepreneurial ecosystems moderates and amplifies both the indirect and the direct influence of cognitive interdependence on the development of the actors’ cognitive capabilities.
Keywords:
entrepreneurial ecosystems; university entrepreneurship; cognitive interdependence; cognitive capabilities; case study
... Institutional logic is referred to as a coherent set of assumptions and practices that guide individuals and organizations with principles and expectations to interpret social reality (Friedland & Alford, 1991;Thornton & Ocasio, 2008). Rather than viewing institutional logics as separate entities-such as corporations, markets/consumers, bureaucracies, families, and communities (Thornton et al., 2012)-we propose DEI as a unifying logic that guides behaviors in creating a more inclusive and equitable global society between developed and developing countries, considering the resource challenges faced by the latter. ...
This project was funded by Sumitomo Foundation Japan Vulnerable communities and developing countries require a societal-level DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) logic that extends beyond individual organizations. In our research on the extended producer responsibility of multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in Malaysia, we observed significant global inequities in how developed countries engage with developing countries to address environmental challenges. MNCs in developing countries play a crucial intermediary role in bridging this gap. This chapter, along with our key contextual findings, highlights how a corporation (L'Occitane) and an environmental entrepreneur (Upcycle by Fuze Ecoteer) collaboratively address environmental and humanitarian needs through a recycling project. Our case study demonstrates how corporations can prioritize societal challenges, even at the expense of profit, guided by a corporate purpose that supports nature and humanity. By linking a systemic institutional perspective with DEI logic, we advocate for a shift in corporate behavior toward a more 'societal' approach, moving away from purely profit-driven motives. This approach demonstrates a DEI logic that accelerates progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, we recommend that global policymakers and corporate leaders adopt DEI logic in their funding and support, addressing the environmental challenges faced by the Global South.
... First, while individual factors such as experience (Fisher et al., 2018), values (Rindova & Martins, 2018), and information influence individual perception and interpretation, negotiating consensus about selected problem formulation is necessary to proceed to the next stage (this stands both for research teams and for individual researchers engaging dialectically with others). Second, individual interpretations are also influenced by sociocultural factors such as institutional logic (Friedland & Alford, 1991) and ideologies (Van Dijk, 2006) Crucially, well-structured problem formulation contains the seeds of potential solutions and shapes the logic of pursuit (Laudan, 1978;Curd, 1980). Therefore, the problem must be described in sufficient detail so that researchers can determine whether their developed solution is adequate. ...
The growth of knowledge in strategic management hinges on developing novel research programs. However, the path from the discovery to the justification of research programs is fraught with hazards-most research directions that scholars pursue are unlikely to be fruitful. This paper introduces the logic of pursuit to strategy science to aid researchers in navigating these hazards and ascertaining whether they should continue working on a particular line of inquiry. Specifically, this paper considers theorizing as a problem-solving activity. It provides a five-phase trial-and-error approach that focuses on resolving doubt generated by anomalies and a lack of understanding of complex phenomena. At each phase of this journey, non-empirical indicators such as the economy of research guide scholars on whether to pursue their research program or to try alternative paths. Research programs that effectively address the problem they were devised are considered highly warranted and worthy of pursuit.
Job seekers often rely on help from social ties in the search for employment. Yet the job search is characterized by meritocratic ideals according to which candidates should be selected based on their qualifications, not their connections. How do people justify the use of connections given the conflicting cultural logics of social capital and meritocracy? We conduct an inductive analysis of 56 interviews with young Spaniards experiencing a difficult labor market and identify a novel process of justification, situational alignment, that reconciles these conflicting logics. Respondents justified situations in which connections provided assistance as legitimate when they perceived alignment among the job seeker, job, and type of help that connections provided. Respondents deemed illegitimate the situations in which these were not aligned. These justifications allowed respondents to embrace the social capital logic’s prescription to use connections, while upholding the meritocratic principle that jobs be awarded based on qualifications. We further find that situations involving close ties were more readily justified than those involving distant others. We test this inductively derived process using a survey experiment with 1,536 young Spaniards. This study demonstrates that perceptions of merit are situated, and advances the understanding of social capital by identifying a novel process of justification that contributes to labor market inequality.
The work of a triumvirate of social thinkers – Adam Ferguson, Bruno Latour and Roger Friedland – is used to argue for the ontological centrality of law to the construction of human societies. Confirming its place as a central institutional order supports the contention by Roger Friedland that the law has a set of distinctive practices animated by the substance ‘justice’. Together, these practices constitute a distinctive logic that can impact on organizations not just by specifying their form but also by providing dominant logics. Such logics can vary dependent on the historical development of particular societies, as illustrated by the distinction between civil and common law systems. Law enters into forms of relation with other logics and is conditioned by relations of class and power. The implications for students of organizations are drawn out.